how do you maintain black painted engines?

[Dave R]

Bike in question is FJ1200

Cylinder paint of course dulls over time and then flakes off, a little more each year. Do spraycan touch ups (without any disassembly) work? What about surface preparation before spraying?

Then there's the engine cases... the nice gloss has dulled, has an almost oxydized look to it. Anything restore it to near new appearence?
Have tried WD-40 (no great improvement) Have tried ArmourAll (worked great when the paint was newer, no longer gets rid of the dull, crappy look)

Figured if anybody knew, you guys would. THIS is why I've always preferred silver engines. ('82 1100E)

Thanks for input. Didn't know whether to post this here or "Appearance"

[Nessism]

Best thing to do with that FJ is sell it and purchase a GS1150ES. Problem solved.

[Steve]

As with most paint jobs, prep is everything. However, when I painted my wife's bike, I just sprayed what I could with carb cleaner, used a toothbrush to get into the corners, then sprayed away. Engine in frame, exhaust pipes attached and masked off. Engine side covers (clutch, ignnition, stator, etc.) were removed for polishing, so they did not need masking. After 3 years, there are some spots that need to be touched up, but I'll just clean a bit and spray some more.







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[pontiacstogo]

S100 engine brightener;

http://www.s100.com/s100_eb.htm

Unbelievable results on dull black finishes - even if the paint is 'chalky'.

[Rover]

Steve: Those covers look great,did you polish them yourself or send them out?

[progas]

Spraying WD 40 on a black engine, then running it to bake it on, really makes the engine quite shiny. It will also clean up easier after a rain storm, or when it gets dirty.

[headsbikesmopars]

I have tried the S100 and it helped ...some. THE BEST thing I have used to bring back the shiny satin look of the factory black engine paint is silcone spray for rubber. Don't do this until the re-painting is finished. It absolutely brings back the new black finish.

Terry

[renobruce]

A second vote for S-100 Engine Brightner. Great stuff, and it lasts through several washings. Works great on the black plastic stuff, too.

[nisom512]

As with most paint jobs, prep is everything. However, when I painted my wife's bike, I just sprayed what I could with carb cleaner, used a toothbrush to get into the corners, then sprayed away. Engine in frame, exhaust pipes attached and masked off. Engine side covers (clutch, ignnition, stator, etc.) were removed for polishing, so they did not need masking. After 3 years, there are some spots that need to be touched up, but I'll just clean a bit and spray some more.







.

wow Steve that thing is really nice I like it great job.